FIRST KISS=TUESDAY from SWEET HOME COWBOY by Marin Thomas #NEWRELEASE

SWEET HOME COWBOY

Love at the Chocolate Shop, Book 9

When Marietta newcomer Elena Puente is coerced into attending a speed-dating event at the popular Copper Mountain Chocolate shop, she’s blindsided by a serious attraction to local cowboy, Wesley Banks.

Still recovering from a broken engagement, the first-grade teacher from Las Vegas isn’t looking for romance. She’s in Montana to get to know the great-grandfather she never knew existed until she found some hidden family letters. Judge Kingsley is a grouchy recluse and he’s far from welcoming, but Elena is determined to stay in town long enough to give his neglected estate on Bramble Lane a facelift.

Elena’s resolve to avoid romance is tested when she discovers Wesley is the caretaker of her grandfather’s rural property. Soon, she and the cowboy are attending more speed-dating events at the chocolate shop and she’s seeking his advice on how to deal with his ornery boss. Local gossips wager the old Judge will run Elena out of town before anything serious develops between her and Wesley. But Wesley’s a determined man, too, and he’s betting Elena belongs in Marietta forever…with him.

Wes pointed to the river where Elena’s bobber went under the water. “You caught a fish.” He set his pole aside. Wrapping his arms around her, he placed his hands over hers before turning the reel slowly—very slowly, savoring the feel of Elena against him.

“Where’s the fish?” she asked. “I can’t see it.”
“Shh… It’s there.” He could stay right here in this moment with Elena all day and never tire of touching her. When he turned the reel twice more, a small trout rose out of the water.

“I caught one!” She jerked the pole too hard, and the fish plopped into the water. “What happened?”

“Your excitement scared him off the hook.” Wes loved staring into her eyes—blue as a clear Montana sky. Her gaze lured him closer but right when her mouth was within reach, the judge’s voice rang out. They jumped apart and Elena dropped the pole, which fell into the water and was swept away by the current.

Elena climbed to her feet. “Hello, Gramps.”

Gramps?

The judge’s mouth twitched as if he found the endearment amusing.

“I thought you were spending all day in court?” She left Wes at the end of the dock and walked over to her grandfather.

“Two of my cases were rescheduled.” The judge eyed Wes as he approached. “Are you going to finish mowing the yard or sit out here and fish all day?”

Wes opened his mouth to respond, but his boss turned on his heel and disappeared through the gate in the hedge.

Elena retrieved the tackle box and surviving pole, then stopped at his side. “I’ll take a rain check on that kiss.”

He grasped her wrist. “I don’t give out rain checks.”

“Then maybe you should pay up now.” The pupils in her eyes dilated, leaving only a sliver of blue visible.

“Gladys Simons is still on her porch.”

“Then we’ll give her something to watch,” she whispered.

Wes brushed his mouth against Elena’s not once but twice before he pulled away.

“Is that all you’ve got?” she teased.

He cupped her face, tilted her head to the side then he swooped in and kissed her again—not a flirty peck, but a long, soft exploration of her mouth that left them breathing hard. “How was that?”

“Much better.”

Wes watched her fanny twitch back and forth as he followed her through the gate.